Chapter 104: Paths of Ascendance

"Mizuchi Haruka, Snow Sky-Dog, it is time to wake up! This is not the moment for you two divine beings to continue sleeping so soundly! Mizuchi Haruka, ever since Love Deity bestowed upon you the 'Magic Mole', since you were certain that Snow Sky-Dog couldn't help but love you, as he could not resist the enchantment of your mole; why do you persist in the bad habit of waking up late? And Snow Sky-Dog, did you drink too much yesterday? You lazy deities, wake up now, for today there is a significant event happening in this academy!"

Mizuchi Haruka and Snow Sky-Dog quickly rose from their long and wide beds. Snow Sky-Dog asked the deity who woke him:

"My elder brother, Kurogami Masayuki, from my understanding, we don't have any tasks to fulfill today! What's so important happening this morning, Kurogami Masayuki, my elder brother?"

"Snow Sky-Dog, Mizuchi Haruka, although today we do not need to complete any tasks; there is a challenge holding a great opportunity for us three deities. However, all three of us must strive if we wish to triumph in the competition against the other divine beings in this academy!"

Mizuchi Haruka felt curious, so she asked Kurogami Masayuki after she folded her duck feather blanket as neatly as possible.

"You are stimulating my curiosity too much, Kurogami Masayuki! What event could be so important that it makes you so agitated, my elder brother, Kurogami Masayuki?"

"Today, the headmaster, our direct mentor, will bestow upon us a tremendously great privilege for whichever three deities he deems truly pleased him. He will examine the life philosophies of all the students in this academy. Whichever three deities articulate the deepest and most righteous life mottos will receive his reward."

Upon hearing this, Mizuchi Haruka became even more surprised.

"Oh, is that so indeed, my elder brother, Kurogami Masayuki? Then that is wonderful! Thank you for waking me up!"

Snow Sky-Dog seemed never to lose the calmness enough to surprise all the powerful deities around him, but he asked Kurogami Masayuki a very important question.

"Does 'Steel Dragon' Ryujin Tetsu participate in this challenge?"

"That wretched and malicious individual has been expelled from this academy by our mentor! I heard from other deities in the Divine Realm that his father - the King of Dragons, is trying to persuade our mentor to let him continue studying in this academy. But because he did not conceal his malicious intent to seize the 8 most powerful magical items in all three worlds; therefore, our mentor firmly prohibited him from studying in this academy anymore!"

This was indeed surprising information, and also a reason for the three deities to organize a celebration feast. But then "snow wolf," Snow Sky-Dog asked:

"So what is the reward for the three deities who excel, the three deities with the most righteous and profound life philosophies in this academy, Kurogami Masayuki?"

"It is the three divine weapons crafted by the hand of the Divine Blacksmith Takumi no Kami!"

Mizuchi Haruka couldn't hide the joyous smile on her beautiful face.

"Wow! That's fantastic! Then let's head to the assembly hall, I'm ready to own the weapons forged by the Divine Blacksmith Takumi no Kami!"

The three deities quickly gathered in the Assembly Hall of the Divine Academy. All the deities who were students of this academy were gathered here. The headmaster of the academy, the Ancestor of the Divine Waters, spoke in a booming voice:

"Here, at this academy, we not only teach magic to you all, but we also cultivate in you the most righteous, profound, and philosophical ideologies; each bearing the individual mark of every deity among the entire student body of this academy. This competition is organized to honor that spirit. In this competition, the rules are as follows, whichever deity feels they have the best life motto should step forward and state it for me to hear. This competition is entirely fair, it provides an opportunity for all of you, and there is no discrimination, but I am the deity with full authority to decide the winner. Therefore, to prevent this competition from dragging on for too long, I have the right to end it at any time I wish, and I also have the right to decide who the winner shall be. So now, let us begin, my talented students!"

A handsome deity stepped forward. He wore a suit in a shade of sky blue, and he spoke:

"No one knows who they will encounter on the journey. For life cannot be predicted."

"Well done, your words are profound! Who are you?"

"I am the Deity of Poetry, Utakami no Kami!"

"Does anyone have a life motto better than this handsome deity's?"

In the crowd, a deity dressed in a red suit, with a distinctly masculine face - stepped forward and spoke.

"Do not judge him as a villain, as long as he still lives! No one knows who will become great!"

"Well said! Who are you?"

"I am the Fire Deity, Hinokagami no Kami!"

"Does anyone want to challenge and defeat the Fire Deity?"

A goddess dressed in a yellow dress, with a brave and resolute demeanor, stepped forward. She spoke:

"Life always presents choices to us. Some choose to seek truth, no matter how painful it may be! While others choose to live in delusion, for they do not wish to face the truth!"

"Excellent! Who are you, beautiful goddess?"

"I am the Goddess of Dawn, Asahi no Megami!"

"Does anyone else want to speak?"

At this point, Snow Sky-Dog couldn't sit still anymore, he stepped forward and spoke:

"A cowardly thief will flee into the night, but if you stride forward boldly and charge ahead to the sound of music, you are a conquering king!"

"Well done, Snow Sky-Dog! Your life motto is brimming with power. You are the first winner of this competition!"

The competition continued.

A deity wearing a silver cloak, with eyes as fierce as thunder, stepped forward and spoke with a deep voice.

"Life may be harsh and difficult, but through every challenge, we become stronger and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world."

"Very good! Who are you, the young man wearing the silver cloak?"

"I am the Thunder Deity, Raiden Hayato!"

"Does anyone want to challenge Thunder Deity Raiden Hayato?"

Kurogami Masayuki stepped forward with immense determination visible in his eyes.

"Let me teach you a lesson: There are always pursuits worth chasing, resolutely never giving up until the outcome is reached. The future is continuous. Send it back to me, the hope of a child that you left behind as you grew. Adults possess the strength and intellect of adults. Children possess the innocence and potential of children. I am always the strongest because I possess and combine both!"

"Impressive, Kurogami Masayuki! You are the next winner!"

Next, a deity dressed in a suit of armor, looking very sturdy, stepped forward and spoke:

"We may experience pain and suffering, but we must not let it dominate us. Instead, we must learn to overcome it and become stronger."

"Quite impressive! Who are you, a young man in armor?"

"I am proud to be the War Deity, Shirogami Takeshi!"

"Who will challenge and defeat War Deity Shirogami Takeshi?"

Finally, Mizuchi Haruka stepped forward, with many eyes watching her.

"Doubt arises in your mind when you care for others or something meaningful to you. Only the worst refuse to doubt. The good doubt, for they do not know which path to take!"

"Well done, Mizuchi Haruka! You deserve to be the final winner of this competition. I declare the competition is over, as I have found the three winners of this competition. Everyone, disperse! The three winning deities: Snow Sky-Dog, Mizuchi Haruka, and Kurogami Masayuki, come to the castle of the Divine Blacksmith Takumi no Kami in one week to receive your well-deserved reward."

Mizuchi Haruka, Snow Sky-Dog, and Kurogami Masayuki were all very happy with their victory. They felt proud of the advice and life philosophies they shared with other students in the academy. The competition had ended, but their story had just begun.

On the way back, the three deities began to discuss their dreams, plans, and discoveries they wanted to make in the future. Mizuchi Haruka hinted at exploring the world outside the academy, Snow Sky-Dog was determined to become a strong and influential warrior, while Kurogami Masayuki aimed to become a great deity respected by all the students in this academy.

Under the deep blue sky, the three deities walked with endless hope and ambition. Their journey had begun, and although challenges, trials, and dangers awaited them ahead, they were willing to face and overcome them all to pursue their dreams and become true deities. A new adventure was about to begin, and no one knew the wonders and dangers ahead.